He pressed his lips together, thinking about his almost-love story that had fizzled out before it even began. Sometimes, he really did feel kind of pathetic.

Tanner Miller glanced at his phone and sent a sad little message to Amelia Lane. No surprise he was still blocked.

He let out a low sigh. "Well, at least you're happy. My love life is officially over."

Tristan Davis was quietly putting away a stack of postcards. He looked over at Tanner and said, "Still hung up on Amelia Lane?"

Tanner's eyes went wide. "What do you mean, 'still'? Do you really think I'm that much of a player?"

Tristan just shrugged. It wasn't like he was trying to be mean. It was just that Tanner had a reputation. One day he'd be flirting with someone new, and the next day he'd be out with someone else.

Honestly, Tristan had lost track of who Tanner was even into these days.

Tanner knew it too, and it bothered him. Sure, he'd been reckless before, but he'd changed. He was trying. But just as he decided to get serious, Amelia started freezing him out.

He was still holding onto hope, so he moved a little closer to Tristan. "Hey, didn't Emily Blair live with the Lanes for a few years? Do you think I could ask her about Amelia?"

Tristan gave him a look. "You're supposed to be her boyfriend and you don't know anything about her?"

Tanner scratched the back of his head. "I'm not her boyfriend. We're not even together yet."

He nudged Tristan's arm. “So, what do you think? Can I talk to Emily about Amelia? It's just, Amelia's been snapping at me for no reason lately. I have no idea why. Emily lived with her for years, maybe she knows what's going on."

Tristan tucked the postcards into his nightstand. “Don't you already have Emily's number? Just ask her yourself."

Tanner scratched his head again. "Yeah, but I heard Emily and the Lane family aren't exactly close. I wanted to see what you thought first. Do you think I should ask her?"

Tristan pushed the drawer closed. "That's not up to me. It's Emily's business. You should ask her."

Tanner stroked his chin and gave Tristan a sideways look. "I thought you might get jealous."

Tristan looked genuinely confused. "Jealous? Why would I be jealous?"

He was still in a good mood after getting Emily's birthday present. Jealousy was the last thing on his mind.

Tanner raised an eyebrow. "How

would know what you're thinkingt

For all know, you

jealou

get je

if I texted Emily myself."

.net>

Tristan let out a short laugh. “Relax. With your looks, I don't have to worry about Emily running off with you.”

Tanner looked offended. "What's

that supposed to mean? I mean, sure, maybe fm not on your level,

but im still a pretty popular guy. I've had my fair share of admirers.

What's wrong with my looks?"

Tristan just smirked. "Sure, you're impressive. But you still can't figure out Amelia Lane, can you?"

Tanner groaned. "Seriously, why do you have to rub it in?"

Tristan chuckled, and Tanner, convinced he was being teased, grabbed a pillow and flung it at him.

Tristan dodged easily, caught the pillow with one hand, and threw it right back— hard.

Tanner, sprawled out on the bed, didn't move fast enough. The pillow smacked him in the face.

He grabbed the pillow and stared at the ceiling. "I swear, how did I end up like this?"

Tristan frowned. "Who are you talking about?"

Tanner shot back, acting like a little kid, “You, obviously. Who else?”

Tristan quietly reached for another pillow.

Tanner jumped up, holding his pillow like a

don Shield. "Hey, hey, what are you

you hit me again, I'm telling

Emily I'll let her know you're a volent, dangerous man. Contem